Safety window covering structure



Aug. 5, 1969 c. J. ROOS V 3,458,954

SAFETY WINDOW COVERING STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 27, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 III/52; i I

INVEN'ZOR. (was: 2. 2w:

Qr'W AWAZEV z- 5, 9 c. J. R005 3,458,954

SAFETY WINDOW COVERING STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 27, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 5 1 u w United States Patent 3,458,954 SAFETY WINDOW COVERING STRUCTURE Charles J. Roos, 1832 Isabella Ava, Muskegon, Mich. 4 9441 Fiied Dec. 27, 1966, Ser. No. 605,033 Int. Cl. E05!) 65/04; EtlSc 7/02 US. CI. 49-62 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to safety window covering structures and, more particularly, to such structures particularly adapted for protecting the interior of buildings during relatively short periods of intense heat radiation caused, for example, by nuclear explosions and the like.

In the event of a nuclear explosion within a populated area those structures immediately surrounding the detonation point will in all probability be destroyed completely. Structures progressively more remote from the point of detonation, however, will not be so severely affected since the shock and nuclear radiation components of the blast decline with relative rapidity, particularly in comparison to the wave of heat radiation or heat flash which precedes them. Thus, in a concrete apartment building or the like located a suflicient distance from the point of detonation to minimize shock wave damage, the building and its inhabitants would still be destroyed, in all probability, by the series of flash fires set by the initial heat radiation wave. Ordinary windows offer little resistance to the passage of the heat radiation and, therefore, even if the exterior of the building surface has a sufficiently high flash point to prevent its ignition during the relatively short exposure to the heat flash, curtains, wall paper and the like within each of the rooms will be ignited by the passage of the heat radiation through the windows. Such is particularly true in the case of concrete and brick structures and, also in the case of wood siding structures, although not to such a great extent. Certainly, however, material such as curtains, draperies, upholstery and the like would be ignited within the room prior to the time that the wooden siding would erupt into flames if, indeed, the latter eruption ever occurred.

The shock wave follows the heat radiation wave closely, and, if the particular building is a suflicient distance away from the point of detonation to prevent either implosion or explosion, exposed glass windows will be blown out destroying any hermetic isolation of the building interior with respect to its surrounding area. Thus, the combustion gases which are products of fires set by the heat flash in the surrounding area and which, in all probability, will Patented Aug. 5, 1969 'ice be heavily laden with nuclear classes of radiation material, are free to flow into the otherwise undamaged buildings to suffocate, poison or otherwise destroy all life therein.

It is an object of this invention, to provide a safety window covering structure.

More particularly, it is an object of this device to provide such a structure which will effectively shield the building interiors from the heat flash of a nuclear explosion and, thus, prevent the ignition of fires therein.

It is an object of this invention to provide such a structure which may be inserted and removed from the building windows, regardless of whether they may be reached from the exterior of the building or not, with relative ease.

It is an object of this invention to provide a structure" of the type described which, in addition to providing a heat radiation barrier, also serves as a structural barrier to limit the effect of the subsequent shock wave on the conventional window panes and the like and, thus, provide a means whereby the interior of the building will remain relatively isolated from a hermetic standpoint with respect to its surrounding area.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a structure of the type described incorporating a selfcontained sealing feature operative independently of the windows or other types of casing fillers to hermetically isolate the interior of the building from its surrounding area.

These, as well as other objects of this invention, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art with reference to the following specification and accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary, side-elevational view of a typical building structure having a window disposed therein upon which has been positioned the safety covering structure which is the subject of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane 11- II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 i a cross-sectional view taken along plane IIIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side-elevational view of the safety panel assembly;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the safety panel assembly;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a modified type of panel retaining assembly showing ordinary glazed sashes positioned therein;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, perspective view, partially in cross-section, of the device shown in FIG. 6 with the safety panel assembly inserted;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a building structure containing a window having a safety panel positioned thereover retained by yet another modified form of retaining assembly; and

FIG. 9 is a side-elevational view, partially in crosssection, of a modified reflective member.

Briefly, this invention comprises an opaque sheet member having a highly reflective exterior surface adapted to mate with and completely cover a particular window and means for retaining the sheet member in mating relationship with respect to the window. Preferably, the reflective sheet member is placed over the exterior surface of a structural backing sheet such as a plywood panel and the entire assembly is sufficiently small in dimension to allow handling by a single person. Depending on the size of th windows to be protected, this dimensioning may necessitate the utilization of retaining and sealing means, intermittent the outer casing boundaries.

Referring now to the figures, a preferred embodiment of this invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 illustrates a building wall indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 having disposed therein a conventional window structure 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the window structure consists of an interior casing 16 and a plurality of stops 17 between which conventional glazed sashes 18 are slidably positioned.

The safety panel support structure 13 encloses the entire periphery of the casing 11 and comprises a series of peripheral members 14 and intermediate members 15. The relative numbers of horizontal and vertical support members will vary depending upon the size of the particular window to be covered as will become apparent hereinafter. On the window illustrated in FIG. 1, a series of three separate safety panels 20A, 20B and 200 are shown covering the window.

Each of the safety panel structures 20 (see FIGS. 4 and comprises a backing sheet 21, which may conveniently be a sheet of three-fourths inch plywood over which has been placed a reflective covering indicated generally by the reference numeral 22. The covering 22 need not be of great thickness since it is structurally reinforced by the backing sheet 21. Backing sheet 21 and its attached reflective covering 22, for the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 7, have a plurality of notches 23 cut in the periphery thereof. A sealing gasket 24, preferably of non-flammable material and of a thickness in the neighborhood of one-quarter of an inch, runs around the perimeter of the panel 20 adjacent the edges of the notches 23.

The particular type of reflective covering which is utilized depends upon the relative availability and price of a number of sutable materials. A sheet of steel having a vitreous glaze similar to that utilized in covering a stove might, for example, be suitable. Similarly, materials such as stainless steel or aluminum may be satisfactory depending upon the distance of the particular building from primary target zones.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the pan ls may be supported, for example, by means of an edge retaining assembly 30 comprising a casing angle 31 suitably afiixed to the outer casing or brick mold 11 of the window and having a second angle 32 aflixed thereto by any conventional means such as rivets. The leg surface of angle 32 is drilled at points corresponding to the spacing of the notches on each of the panels 20 and a bolt 34 is inserted through th aperture so formed. It the particular window cannot be reached from the ground, it will be desirable, of course, to weld or otherwise retain the bolt 34 with its head flush to the surface of angle 32.

The intermediate edge retaining assemblies 40, as shown in FIG. 3, may comprise a T-shaped extrusion supported in any convenient manner from the exterior portions of the casing or, alternatively, directly from the lateral retaining assemblies 14. The T-shaped extrusions 41 have a plurality of threaded rods 42 extending inwardly therefrom through suitable apertures. Insertion of the panels is made by moving the glazed sashes 18 to a non-conflicting position (or alternatively, removing them entirely) and sliding each panel into position such that all of the notches 23 about ts entire periphery are engaged by either one of the bolts 34 or one of the studs 42. Each stud 42, of course, anchors two adjacent panel sections. When so positioned, the gaskets 24 on each of the panels abut either the rear edge of channel 32 or, alternatively, the rear edge of one side of one of the T-shaped extrusions 41. Thus, these gasket abutting faces must be installed in such a manner that they are coplanar for any particular window.

In order to secure the panels in position, a strap 35 having a series of apertures punched therein corresponding to the spacing of the slots in panel 20 is placed along each of the outer boundaries of the window, over the bolts 34, and a nut 36 is secured upon each of the bolts. In the case of the intermediate supports 40, a bracing strut 43, which may be sectionalized or, alternatively, a continuous strip, is placed over the bolts and the assembly secured together by the addition of nuts 44.

In order to provide the strength necessary to maintain the safety panels in position during the shock wave, the edging members must be firmly secured to the window casing and must also be formed from a material of high structural rigidity. Ordinary steel stock will undoubtedly prove satisfactory for this purpose. In order to prevent weakening of the stock during the heat flashing, it may be desirable to provide a boot such as is shown in FIG. 3 comprising a reflective shell 45 and an insulating member 46 around the exterior surface of each of the support flanges both on the periphery of the window and intermediate the extremities thereof. The boot 45 will reflect the impinging heat radiation in precisely the same manner as does the reflective covering 22 on the safety panels 20.

It will be noted that the embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIG. 1 allows insertion of the panels from the interior and, therefore, is suitable for usage in locations not readily accessible from the exterior of the building. The provision of the three panels and separate edge supporting assemblies serve to (1) decrease the required structural characteristics of any given safety panel since it is supported intermediate the window extremities; and (2) render the weight and bulkiness of each individual panels sufficiently small as to allow their handling with ease by a single individual.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the intermediate edge retaining assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. The assembly comprises a series of edge angles 52 about the periphery of the window which may be formed, conveniently, with a panel retaining assembly similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2. The cross pieces for intermediate support comprise a series of channels 51 running from one side of the window to the other at intermediate locations from the window extremities. The cross pieces 51 may be secured to the edge channels 52 by means of L-shaped reinforcing supports 53 in any conventional manner.

In FIG. 6, the structure as illustrated contains conventional glazed sashes 18 which are removable in a manner well-known in the art. In the case of warning of a nuclear attack, the sashes 18 are removed and the panels 20 fitted in their place as illustrated in FIG. 7. Besides being secured at the periphery of the window in a manner similar to that discussed previously, the panels are supported intermediate the window extremities at each of the notches 23 by inserting a bolt 55 therethrough. A strap 54 running the entire length of the channel and suitably perforated is placed on the interior and each of the bolts secured by nuts 57. Conveniently, the bolt may be provided with a flat portion 56 at its head to prevent rotation when inserted in the channel. A cutter key or like device 58 may be inserted through a suitable aperture in the side of the channel 51 after removal of the glazed sashes and insertion of the bolts 55 to insure that they will not be pushed out and dropped from the assembly during the installation procedure. The gasket 24 on the edge of the panels abuts the rear face of channular member 51 and seals the safety panel hermetically.

Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a safety structure suitable for utilization only on locations accessible from the ground. While not shown, in this particular case the sealing gasket has been moved to the rear face of the safety panel 20' and abuts the exterior blind stop around the entire periphery of the window to seal the panel hermetically. The panel is retained in position vertically by its abutment against the lower sill 65 and laterally by a structural cross member 63 having an aperture in each end thereof suitably spaced to re- '5 ceive a pair of studs 61 anchored in the wall of the particular structure. A pair of levered nuts 62 and suitable washers are then utilized to compress the strap 63 against the safety panel 20. The cross brace or retention strap 63, preferably, is also coated on its exterior surface with a reflective material.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is particularly attractive since the safety panel may be stored on a pair of adjacent storage studs 64, by merely removing it from the window, resting it upon some type of vertical support (not shown), swinging it up against the wall and placing and securing the cross brace 63 thereover. By storing the panel in such a manner, all necessary components will be readily accessible should it be desirable to install it over the window.

In the event of a warning of an imminent nuclear attack, a particular resident, whether he lives in a single story dwelling or on the upper floors of an apartment house, can in a matter of minutes install the safety panels which are the subject of this invention in the manner outlined previously. Subsequent to detonation of a nuclear device, the panel will reflect the wave of heat radiation and, thus, prevent flash fires from being ignited within the interior of the particular building. Thus, the building will not become filled with smoke and other poisonous gases produced by combustion within, and the air will remain relatively safe for breathing purposes.

Subsequent to reflection of the initial heat flash, the shock wave will strike the building. The structural backing member for the reflective surface will be retained by the framework or edging members over the Window and prevent the implosion or explosion of the conventional glazed sashes therein. The sealed nature of the safety panels, additionally, will prevent combustion and other poisonous gases generated on the exterior of the particular building from gaining access to the interior of the building and, thus, the building will remain relatively hermetically isolated from the surrounding area in which large numbers of small fires may be burning. Consequently, the probabilities of survival of a person within a building so protected are markedly increased. The invention is not designed, of course, to protect buildings proximate the point of detonation since they will undoubtedly be imploded, exploded or burned. But, those buildings relatively remote which might otherwise be de stroyed with a consequent increase in loss of life will be protected by the safety panels.

Depending upon the proximity of buildings within a particular area, it may be desirable to form the reflective surface in the configuration indicated generally in FIG. 9 to prevent direct reflection to the heat flash onto adjacent buildings. Such a construction will, of course, cause impinging heat radiation to be reflected either upwardly into the sky or downwardly into the ground, rather than be reflected onto an adjacent building.

In modern types of office buildings, it may be necessary to provide a means whereby the safety panels may be affixed to the windows on the interior side of the glass since the windows are generally not removable and/or cannot be opened. This may be accomplished easily, for example, by merely aflixing the support structure such as shown in FIG. 2 to the interior side of the window casing.

It may also be desirable to anchor the support structure directly into the window casing or brick mold rather than merely screwing or otherwise affixing it to the interior or exterior surface thereof. Such a prime window covering can be provided by forming an extending slot in the interior of the wooden or cement casing during fabrication thereof and providing a flange on the periphery of the support structure adapted to fit into and be retained by the slot.

Finally, it may be desirable to provide a reflective surface and sealing structure on either side of the support panel to permit washing and shining of one side thereof while the other side is in its ready or reflective position. The subjection of the working reflective surface to smog and the like will, of course, tend to reduce its reflective ability. Once the interior side has been cleaned, the double-sided safety panel could be flipped over with a relatively short period of non-protection.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described in detail, along with several minor modifications thereof, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that many other embodiments may be conceived and fabricated without departing from the spirit of this specification and the accompanying drawings. Such other embodiments are to be deemed as included within the scope of the following claims unless these claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise.

I claim:

1. A safety window covering structure particularly adapted for protecting the interiors of buildings having Windows with transparent portions during relatively short periods of intense heat radiation such as result from nuclear explosions and the like, said structure comprising:

opaque panel means having a highly reflective exterior surface and a structural backing member adapted to mate with and completely cover at least the transparent portions of said window; and

means for removably retaining said panel means in mating position with respect to said window, said retaining means including means for securing said panel means in said mating position from the inside of said building.

2. The structure as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises means for sealing said panel means with respect to said window to hermetically isolate the interior of said building from the surrounding area when said panel means is in said mating position.

3. A safety window covering structure for use on buildings having windows including casings, sashes and transparent portions, said structure being particularly adapted for protecting the interiors of buildings during relatively short periods of intense heat such as result from nuclear explosions and the like, said structure comprising:

opaque panel means having a reflective exterior surface and a structural backing member adapted to mate with and completely cover at least the transparent portions of one of said windows, said panel means including a plurality of individual panel members for each said window to permit handling them with relative ease and to permit installation of them on the outside of the transparent portions of the window from the interior of the building without removal of the sashes;

means for removably retaining said panel means in mating position with respect to said window, said retaining means including a metallic edge member affixed to the casing of said window and extending inwardly therefrom around all sides thereof; a metallic cross member aflixed across said window at each panel member joint; and

means for securing all of the edges of each said panel member to its abutting edge members and cross member.

4. The structure as set forth in claim 3 which further comprises means for sealing each said panel member with respect to said window to hermetically isolate the interior of said building from the surrounding area when said panel members are in the secured position.

5. The structure as set forth in claim 3 wherein said securing means comprises:

a series of space notches around the periphery of each of said panel members; and

a series of fastening members afiixed to said edge members and said cross members adapted to be received by said notches when said panel members are placed in mating position with respect to said window.

6. The structure as set forth in claim wherein each said fastening member on said cross members is received by two said notches on the edges of abutting panel members.

7. A safety window covering structure for use on buildings having windows including casings, sashes and transparent portions, said structure being particularly adapted for protecting the interiors of buildings during relatively short periods of intense heat such as result from nuclear explosions and the like, said structure comprising:

opaque panel means having a reflective exterior surface and a structural backing member adapted to mate with and completely cover at least the transparent portions of said Window;

means for removably retaining said panel means in mating position with respect to said window having a metallic flange affixed to the casing of said window and extending inwardly therefrom, said panel means abutting and being affixed to said flange around the entire periphery of said window, sections of said flange being exposed at the exterior of the building; and

boot means having a reflective exterior surface afiixed over all said exposed sections of said metallic flange.

DENNIS L.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Lion l238 Luboshez 238 X Gibson 52202 X Banta 49-163 X Killian 4961 Milone 4962 Carr 49-61 X Matschke 52202 Roos 49-61 Hoff 52202 X TAYLOR, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

